aer·i·al / ˈe(ə)rēəl/ • adj. existing, happening, or operating in the air: an aerial battle. ∎  coming or carried out from the air, esp. using aircraft: aerial photography. ∎  (of part of a plant) growing above ground: knobby sections of aerial roots. ∎  (of a bird) spending much of its time in flight. ∎  of or in the atmosphere; atmospheric. ∎  insubstantial and hard to grasp or define: fine and aerial distinctions. • n. 1. another term for antenna (sense 2): jiggle the aerial on the radio.2. (aerials) a type of maneuver in gymnastics, skiing, or surfing involving freestyle jumps or somersaults.DERIVATIVES: aer·i·al·ly adv.

aerial pert. to or resembling air or the atmosphere. XVII. f. L. āerius (f. Gr. āérios, f. āḗr, āer- AIR) + -AL1.

aerial (antenna) Conductor component of radio and television systems for the broadcast and transmission of signals. An aerial's design usually depends on the wavelength of the signal.